Courtesy of City of Chula Vista
By Yanelli Zavina Robles
Chula Vista’s often lonely effort to convince California to build a major university has turned a corner, according to the mayor and a dogged state assemblymember.
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed Assembly Bill 662 to establish a South County Higher Education Task Force to study the feasibility of building a new California State University or University of California campus in Chula Vista. District 80 Assemblymember David Alvarez championed the bill.
“This marks the first time leaders in our state formally acknowledged the need for a public university in South County,” he said.
Alvarez and Chula Vista Mayor John McCann cited a 2024 study commissioned by the city that said 40 percent of adult Chula Vistans are interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree. The University Now Initiative (UNI) reported that was “significantly higher” than the 27 percent of San Diego County’s total residents, said Alvarez.
“The UNI report identified demands for degrees in health, nursing, education and many others,” he said.
Beginning next fall students can earn bachelor’s degrees in selected subjects on the SWC campus via partnerships with SDSU, UCSD and CSU San Marcos. SWC is the only community college in the county with multiple university partnerships, said Alvarez.
Southwestern College president Dr. Mark Sanchez thanked Alvarez, McCann and previous elected officials who have advocated for a Chula Vista university since the 1980s. Alvarez also led the effort to pass AB91, a pilot program that allows a small number of Mexican students within 45 miles of the border to pay in-state rates to attend SWC rather than the much higher international rates. He also championed AB 2586, which allows students to work at state universities and colleges regardless of immigration status.
Alvarez said the current federal administration does not support higher education and the state needs to address any funding gaps.
“Education offers the most potential for economic improvement,” he said. “It is a wise investment.”
McCann agreed and thanked Alvarez for his determination.
“Assemblymember Alvarez has been a key leader,” he said. “He has been somebody we can all rely on in this educational initiative.”
Chula Vista’s city council unanimously backed AB 662 and has consistently supported efforts to build a CSU or UC on land near Lower Otay Lakes for decades. CSU and UC officials have repeatedly declined to consider expanding to Chula Vista, citing proximity to SDSU and UCSD as well as lack of funding. Former Chula Vista councilwoman Patricia Aguilar – an outspoken advocate for a Chula Vista CSU or UC – said Chula Vista is the largest California city without a state public university and the South County region is the most populated area in the state without a university. Chula Vista students, she said, are actually much closer to Mexican universities in Tijuana than universities in their service area.
Former SWC Transfer Center Director Norma Cazares has been an outspoken critic of UC and CSU policies that “sell seats” originally intended for South County students to wealthy international and out-of-state students who pay much higher fees. In recent years UCSD sold nearly 40 percent of its seats to such students and accepted far fewer eligible South County applicants. Cazares said the policies are unfair to disproportionately minority South County students and prevent low-income, place-bound students from attending a university.
Alvarez said the South County is underserved by higher education and a “college desert.” A local four-year university would increase access and reduce barriers, he said.
“Research (indicates) that the (college) graduation rate is much higher when (low income) students (of color) stay near home,” he said.
Proximity research motivated SWC to establish academic satellite campuses in National City, San Ysidro and Otay Mesa in the 1990s when studies concluded that students from those areas were not entering degree or certificate programs or not completing them. SWC studies have concluded that students with the ability to earn bachelor’s degrees often hit a wall if they are not accepted to crowded SDSU or UCSD – both of which have grown sharply in the past 10 years. Students of color – particularly young women – are less likely to complete degrees if they have to move away from home or their communities, according to the research.
“The time is right,” said Alvarez.
